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May 7, 2007

Engaging in congress
Posted by Teresa at 10:16 PM *

I’m not going to be at the Nebulas this year. Instead, I’m going to the International Congress on Medieval Studies in Kalamazoo, with MacAllister Stone and Lisa Spangenberg. (Thank you, Mac; thank you, Lisa.) I gather Sisuile, Tracie, and Susan are also going. Who else should I be watching out for?

Addendum: I’m not sure yet what my schedule will be in Kalamazoo, but Dr. Virago of Quod She is organizing a blogger breakfast on Friday morning, and when last seen was trying to get Master Geoffrey to attend.

I feel like a neo about to go to my first worldcon.

Comments on Engaging in congress:
#1 ::: pedantic peasant ::: (view all by) ::: May 07, 2007, 11:04 PM:

Gods above and below, I envy you all!

Have fun, (and tell us all about it later)

#2 ::: Sisuile ::: (view all by) ::: May 07, 2007, 11:07 PM:

Well, it looks like Susan and I will be wandering around in kimono. Besides that, I'm usually fairly easy to spot at K'zoo, I'll be carrying at least one and possibly two small looms.

The bloggers breakfast seems like a good idea. I also want to make a trip out to Bell's Brewery, just because. ;)

#3 ::: Carol Witt ::: (view all by) ::: May 07, 2007, 11:13 PM:

*ponders delurking in order to say that she'll be going*

#4 ::: gaukler ::: (view all by) ::: May 07, 2007, 11:21 PM:

I'll be at K'zoo for the first time, too. I won't have any looms, but I'll be in Fetzer 1045 at 5:45 on Thursday as part of the dress accessories display. I'll be showing some original and replica medieval brooches.
I'm hoping that there really will be transport from all flights, as I arrive at 11:30pm Wednesday.
mark

#5 ::: Sean Sakamoto ::: (view all by) ::: May 07, 2007, 11:22 PM:

Have fun in my hometown!

#6 ::: Susan ::: (view all by) ::: May 07, 2007, 11:28 PM:

I also feel like a neo. I am petrified. A whole worldcon full of Strangers.

I will wear the kimono I wore at worldcon, which Teresa may (or may not) recall liking. I will not go to a Brewery, since I don't drink except under special circumstances.

I also arrive rather late Wednesday and hope there will be transport. And does anyone know if the dorm rooms come with all linens and stuff?

#7 ::: Sisuile ::: (view all by) ::: May 07, 2007, 11:29 PM:

gaukler!

You mean, I don't have to wait until Pennsic to see you (and possibly see you without feeling like I'm interupting you with clients)? Are you going to have any merchandise on you, or are you taking a break for this?

#8 ::: Lisa Spangenberg ::: (view all by) ::: May 07, 2007, 11:33 PM:

The dorms are, well, Spartan. They come with towels, sheets, blanket, pillow, but all are, well, dorm linens, and hand soap. You may want a more substantial towel. Bring a robe; it can get chilly at night. You should bring coat hangers, a flash light, and a clock. No Wi-fi in the dorm rooms.

#9 ::: Sisuile ::: (view all by) ::: May 07, 2007, 11:35 PM:

Susan- they come with college linens. Two flat sheets that don't stay on, scratchy towels and washcloths, etc. Having learned from last year, I'm bringing a small, thin blanket, and a washcloth I don't mind near my face. Oh, and slippers.

There may or may not be wireless in your room.

remember- Don't Panic.

And as the linked email for these posts is going to an account I read regularly, feel free to use it. I'm working on my paper this evening and all day tomorrow and so will be online.

#10 ::: gaukler ::: (view all by) ::: May 07, 2007, 11:36 PM:

I won't be selling officially, but I'll be handing out lots of cards. I'm bringing an empty suitcase for to be filled with books.
mark

#11 ::: gaukler ::: (view all by) ::: May 07, 2007, 11:38 PM:

Susan, if you have a spare moment at the MedievalCon, I have a few questions on 14C dance.
mark

#12 ::: Lea ::: (view all by) ::: May 07, 2007, 11:44 PM:

Wow.

Everyone really is going to Kzoo but me.

#13 ::: Rymenhild ::: (view all by) ::: May 07, 2007, 11:47 PM:

*delurks* I'm also going to the haven of free (if lousy) wine, Spartan sheets and spectacular book rooms.

Small correction: Dr. Virago invited Sir John Mandeville, who is apparently not the same personage as nostre Chaucer. Alas, Chaucer himself has not spoken on the matter of whether he will be attending Kalamazoo this year.

#14 ::: Sisuile ::: (view all by) ::: May 07, 2007, 11:48 PM:

I'm bringing a similar suitcase.

Oh, first-timers? When you walk into the book rooms for the first time, leave your wallet with someone you trust. Make lists. Pick up a copy of the Proceedings of the Pseudo Society as airplane reading. There is a major sale Saturday afternoon/Sunday morning on books, and those are the deals that will get you worst. Many retailers are having a "Kalamazoo Special," which ranges from 10-40% off the cover price. David Brown Book Company brings their whole medieval/renaissance catalog...if you don't know them, they are a very dangerous retailer to those of us who do material culture.

And now, I need to get another page written before I sleep.

#15 ::: julia ::: (view all by) ::: May 07, 2007, 11:52 PM:

I'd love to be a fly on the wall for this.

#16 ::: elise ::: (view all by) ::: May 07, 2007, 11:58 PM:

Oh, my, yes.

#17 ::: Mary Frances ::: (view all by) ::: May 08, 2007, 12:11 AM:

It's been years since I've been to K'zoo, but I second the towels, and the hangers. Bear in mind that you'll be sharing a semi-private bathroom, too, and shower slippers or flip-flops are a good idea. And bear in mind also that the meals are dorm cafeteria food, but if you don't have transport available, you will need your meal tickets with you. There are good restaurants around, but none within easy walking distance of campus that I can recall.

And if you want to go to the session of the Pseudo Society (is it still on Saturday night?) (runs to check her program book--yep, and still in Fetzer; some things never change), you might want to get there a little early, to get a seat.

I envy you all. Say hello to the swans for me--

#18 ::: Lisa Spangenberg ::: (view all by) ::: May 08, 2007, 12:13 AM:

We might perhaps have a casual ML reader meetup at K'zoo?

Not sure where . . . Possibly the Radisson restaurant/bar; there's a shuttle every hour or so from conference traffic areas.

There's a coffee place on campus that's possible too.

#19 ::: Sisuile ::: (view all by) ::: May 08, 2007, 12:30 AM:

Lisa-

we were having that discussion over on the Open Thread. My suggestion was sometime between the Brewers Guild and the Pseudo Society, but having people to talk to during the dance would also be lovely.

#20 ::: Bill Higgins-- Beam Jockey ::: (view all by) ::: May 08, 2007, 12:50 AM:

Amy Proni goes every year, and makes it sound wonderful. I myself would be out of place, but I'm very glad there's a gathering for people who love this stuff.

Didn't know that you could wander around in a kimono and carry looms there.

#21 ::: Marilee ::: (view all by) ::: May 08, 2007, 01:37 AM:

That's right, Bill, you're used to places you wander around in Hawaiian shirts and carry ukelele.

#22 ::: Marie Brennan ::: (view all by) ::: May 08, 2007, 02:31 AM:

Aw, man! Due to teaching commitments on my collaborator's part and an ongoing house move on mine, neither one of us is going to be there, though for a while we thought we could make it. Our paper will be there without us, though -- the dungeon and the covenant (aka D&D and Ars Magica) as alternate neomedieval conceptions in RPGs.

#23 ::: Mary Dell ::: (view all by) ::: May 08, 2007, 06:45 AM:

OMG, I had no idea. Unfortunately I'm already booked for this weekend. Next year, God willing, I'll take my Dad to this - he's a Medieval Law scholar and only lives an hour & a half from K'Zoo. (He's also 80 years old, so can't go on his own)

I looked at the program...you're going to have SUCH fun. Sigh.

FYI, Kalamazoo also features an Air Museum that's supposed to be great.

#24 ::: Fragano Ledgister ::: (view all by) ::: May 08, 2007, 07:22 AM:

It sounds like a lot of fun and almost makes me regret I'm not a mediƦvalist. Almost.

I will be going to one academic conference over the summer ( This one if anyone's interested). I will, however, be going to my first con,DragonCon, at the end of summer.

#25 ::: Carol Witt ::: (view all by) ::: May 08, 2007, 07:28 AM:

Susan #6: I'm looking forward to your session, as is a friend of mine from the SCA who's attending (we both learned to dance with Mistress Rosina, although I admit it's been much too long since I've done any dancing). You were great when you taught in Boston in November 2002. I know that's different than standing up in front of however many people and talking, but I expect you'll be fine.

#26 ::: TexAnne ::: (view all by) ::: May 08, 2007, 08:03 AM:

Dying of jealousy, me. Maybe next year...

#27 ::: punkrockhockeymom ::: (view all by) ::: May 08, 2007, 08:27 AM:

I would love to go. How totally cool. How nearly local. But my ex is going to London this week for a month-long trip, which means my parents are coming in for a month-long stay (yikes!) and I'm doing the single-mom thing in a starker way than usual. No book-binges for me!

#28 ::: Sarah S ::: (view all by) ::: May 08, 2007, 08:49 AM:

It wouldn't hurt to read David Lodge's _Small World_, if you haven't already, for context.

And also giggles.

#29 ::: Patrick Nielsen Hayden ::: (view all by) ::: May 08, 2007, 09:18 AM:

Fragano, I trust you understand that DragonCon, whatever its undoubted merits, is about as atypical of SF conventions as it's possible to be.

#30 ::: Fragano Ledgister ::: (view all by) ::: May 08, 2007, 09:33 AM:

PNH #29: Thank you. I gather that it's a combined sf/anime/comics con, with sf not being the largest part. It is, however, local; that's important since the following week I'll be heading for Montreal to attend the Latin American Studies Association conference.

#31 ::: Evelyn Browne ::: (view all by) ::: May 08, 2007, 09:38 AM:

Oh, I'm jealous. Have a fantastic time!

#32 ::: Serge ::: (view all by) ::: May 08, 2007, 09:48 AM:

Have a grand time,
All of you,
In Kalamazoo.

#33 ::: Tracie ::: (view all by) ::: May 08, 2007, 09:57 AM:

If you're a coffee fiend, take a coffee maker and fixins for your room. I'm taking mine.

Now if I can only find something appropriately Japanese to wear -- looks like Japanese will be the ML fashion statement. In my copious spare time, between obsessive reworking of my paper and slides, doing the work I'm paid for (or enough of it that no one will panic while I'm gone), laundry, packing. And breathing. This is my first time in almost 30 years. May I panic now?

Is there some sort of token we can wear to identify each other (besides Japanese or salwar kameez, 'cause I don't have any of these)?

#34 ::: Serge ::: (view all by) ::: May 08, 2007, 10:00 AM:

Sisuile... Does your planned attire mean you'll be looming ominously?

#35 ::: Sisuile ::: (view all by) ::: May 08, 2007, 10:17 AM:

Something like that, Serge. *grins*

Last year I had my mini loom with me to work on a project whenever I had a few free minutes. I had so many people ask to try it, that I will be showing up with both the project loom and the "here, you can try on this one!" loom.

Susan...We'll be able to talk at length. Ken told me that he'd gotten a dance person for our session, and I just checked. *laughs hysterically* I'll meet many of you on Thursday.

#36 ::: Susan ::: (view all by) ::: May 08, 2007, 10:28 AM:

Sisuile - I saw your email on the mail from Ken today and wondered which person you were. He has two sessions and I couldn't tell from your nick here, though I have now figured it out. Small world!

I am currently in the "my paper sucks hugely" phase. You?

Maybe I should bring dance music and we could do a bit of applied research.

#37 ::: Susan ::: (view all by) ::: May 08, 2007, 10:29 AM:

gaukler @ #11:
I'm actually a ren person taking advantage of the loose definition of medieval they use at Kalamazoo. Because of that and the general massive lack of evidence I don't have a whole lot to say about 14thc dance, alas (my focus is mostly 16thc and later, though I've been somewhat attracted to 15thc saltarello lately). But I'd be happy to dance-geek in general.

#38 ::: Sisuile ::: (view all by) ::: May 08, 2007, 10:36 AM:

I'm in "CRAP! My paper! I need to write it!" mode. I turned in my thesis yesterday, and so my life has been revolving around that. I got about half done last night and I have a feeling that I'm going to spend some serious time on my way to k'zoo editing and having the van-mates edit the paper.

#39 ::: Avery ::: (view all by) ::: May 08, 2007, 11:56 AM:

I keep gazing longingly at K'zoo and comming up with other things that need doing.

For those that have been, I see lots of literary, religious and sociological topics. I don't see a lot of this kind of thing. How much material culture stuff goes on up there?

And watch out for "that damn Gaukler kid!" He'll outbid you on all the best bits on E-bay.

#40 ::: RedMolly ::: (view all by) ::: May 08, 2007, 12:01 PM:

Awwww, man... I've been wanting to go to this conference since I was a lowly undergrad. If you see Virginia Jansen (art history, UCSC) tell her hi for me! (Hers would be an excellent brain to pick about anything and everything having to do with medieval/early modern urban design and the evolution of cities. Also, Salisbury Cathedral.)

#41 ::: Bill Blum ::: (view all by) ::: May 08, 2007, 01:34 PM:

Mary@#23-

The Air Zoo is fairly impressive for a small facility-- but I'm spoiled now that I've moved within spitting distance of the National Museum of the Air Force.

#42 ::: Mary Dell ::: (view all by) ::: May 08, 2007, 01:44 PM:

Bill Blum @ #41:

Ooo, that looks nifty. I'm museum-spoiled in many categories (I live in the Chicago area) but not, sadly, airplanes.

#43 ::: Sisuile ::: (view all by) ::: May 08, 2007, 01:59 PM:

Avery @39

There is more every year than there was. Susan and I are in a session specifically on why we recreate history. AVISTA and DISTAFF are two seriously material culture groups who sponsor several sessions and events at k'zoo, as well as those session organizers who decide that it would be a good idea anyway. If I wanted, I could spend my entire weekend having to choose which cultural anthro/ material culture sessions to hit. That is probably what I'm going to end up doing.

And yeah, that gaukler guy is evil. Like taking my money for things like the silver and emerald diamond broach...

#44 ::: Heather Rose Jones ::: (view all by) ::: May 08, 2007, 02:17 PM:

(This doesn't quite count as delurking, since I've dropped a couple of comments on previous threads.) I'll be there, giving a paper on "The Medieval Shepherd's Purse: Artifact or Artistic Motif?" in one of the DISTAFF sessions (#362 on Friday -- changed from the published slot in session #297). I'd love to meet new people.

#45 ::: adamsj ::: (view all by) ::: May 08, 2007, 02:41 PM:

Our first con was Dragon*Con. We enjoyed it so much we've never felt the need to go to a con again. Fragano is making a great choice--especially with the chaser.

#46 ::: Fragano Ledgister ::: (view all by) ::: May 08, 2007, 05:33 PM:

adamsj #45: I'm not sure what to make of that!

#47 ::: SeanH ::: (view all by) ::: May 08, 2007, 07:11 PM:

My good friend Rachel is flying all the way from York to present a paper at Kalamazoo! She's in the session "Parenthood, Guardianship, Fosterage: Medieval Concepts of Education and Adult Responsibility for Children", part of her fascinating PhD study on medieval fatherhood. Wish her luck!

#48 ::: rams ::: (view all by) ::: May 08, 2007, 09:14 PM:

You're coming?! But I LIVE here!!! Skip the Air Zoo; it costs a fortune. But absolutely Bell's, which is a mere three blocks from the [boring]Radisson.

We should greet you with song -- how about
"Vindaloo" in Kalamazoo?

#49 ::: Paula Helm Murray ::: (view all by) ::: May 08, 2007, 11:13 PM:

Waah, this whole thing sounds like tons of fun. No money here, though (too close to ConQuesT). I'm a rennie and my writing is in a semi-renaissance technology level world. And I liked the book work/practicing the arts better than I liked actually doing the SCA.

#50 ::: Faren Miller ::: (view all by) ::: May 09, 2007, 10:05 AM:

I won't be there [my thesis was on landscape in Shelley], but that mention of greeting with song conjured up a pun I can't resist mentioning: "I've got a galliard/In Kalamazoo" (and everyone joyously triple-times their way into the convention center). Have fun!

#51 ::: adamsj ::: (view all by) ::: May 09, 2007, 10:15 AM:

Fragano,

Neither were we--but it was a great time.

Someday I hope to find video of my wife on stage there with Jefferson Starship.

#52 ::: Michael Walsh ::: (view all by) ::: May 09, 2007, 10:52 AM:

I shall be at neither Kalamazoo (though Johns Hopkins UP will be), nor the Nebs. I'll be in London for the Johns Hopkins UP sales conference. Life is rough .

#53 ::: Fragano Ledgister ::: (view all by) ::: May 09, 2007, 11:35 AM:

adamsj #51: Ah! That sounds a lot more encouraging.

#54 ::: Christopher Davis ::: (view all by) ::: May 09, 2007, 01:08 PM:

rams (#48): "Me and me mum and me dad and me gran went off to Kal'mazoo"?

#55 ::: rams ::: (view all by) ::: May 09, 2007, 02:42 PM:

Christopher Davis #54 -- "Me and me mam and me dad and me gran and bucket of Bell's best brew!"

#56 ::: Tim in Albion ::: (view all by) ::: May 09, 2007, 07:17 PM:

Have a great time, everyone. Most of my medievalist buddies will be there (hi Heather! and Hilary, Bjorn, Brion, Bob, Christian...) One of these years I will stop *making* medieval furniture long enough to *write* about it... K'zoo might be a good place to present on the topic.

#57 ::: Tim in Albion ::: (view all by) ::: May 09, 2007, 07:19 PM:

Hi Mark! (Will Dru be there too?)

#58 ::: Tom Whitmore ::: (view all by) ::: May 10, 2007, 03:50 PM:

Can I at least put in a push for you (and others here) coming to Mythcon, where Ellen Kushner and Delia Sherman are the Guests of Honor, this August? Small, academic, and mostly cool. In full disclosure mode, I'm on the committee, managing the dealer's room, as a complete volunteer. And I think it'll be a very cool convention.

#59 ::: Serge ::: (view all by) ::: May 11, 2007, 12:51 PM:

Any news from the Kalamazoo Front?

#60 ::: Susan ::: (view all by) ::: May 11, 2007, 09:16 PM:

Kalamazoo fun! Squee!

#61 ::: Carol Witt ::: (view all by) ::: May 11, 2007, 10:18 PM:

Susan's talk was quite interesting. She did a great job!

Fun, yes.

#62 ::: Teresa Nielsen Hayden ::: (view all by) ::: May 12, 2007, 12:07 AM:

Today met asst'd bloggers and saw a presentation on typos in vernacular hagiography. Other stuff as well. Booksellers occupy a long sequence of rooms and have a brain-frying assortment of desirable books. Am in excellent company.

Yay!

#63 ::: Paula Helm Murray ::: (view all by) ::: May 12, 2007, 12:24 AM:

YAAY for ms Teresa! Wishing i could be there.

#64 ::: Serge ::: (view all by) ::: May 12, 2007, 08:20 AM:

Photos on Flickr? Please?

#65 ::: greythistle ::: (view all by) ::: May 12, 2007, 09:59 AM:

@62: It was lovely to meet you, however briefly (and covertly on my part).

#66 ::: Sisuile ::: (view all by) ::: May 12, 2007, 02:19 PM:

Tracie, Susan, and I will probably be holding down the fort off the corner of the dance floor later this evening.

What are these pictures you speak of? We don't *do* such things, that'd be unproffessional or something like that. ;)

My book budget has been blown to bits, mostly by things that are relevant to my field. Though I did pick up a few just interesting books- A Drizzle of Honey, on Moresco cooking and food, Nordic Religions in the Viking Age, Old English Literature (which is free with $50 purchase at Powells), Beer in the Middle Ages and Renaissance, and then there is the wax seal person from whom I bought many gifts.

Really, it's worth it just for the books.

#67 ::: Serge ::: (view all by) ::: May 12, 2007, 02:27 PM:

So, no picture, Sisuile? Not even of the loominescent representatives of Making Light? Drat.

#68 ::: Dave Bell ::: (view all by) ::: May 12, 2007, 05:43 PM:

The little demons in those magic boxes go on strike. There's just too many people around who can pass for a clerk in holy orders, and every time somebody mutters, Miserere mei, Deus, secundum misericordiam tuam. they suffer from a disabling stabbing pain in the neck.

I know what you'll say. Try angels. They get lured away by all the talk of dancing.

#69 ::: Serge ::: (view all by) ::: May 12, 2007, 05:52 PM:

Dave Bell... Try angels. They get lured away by all the talk of dancing.

If the angel is carrying a trumpet, I hope he doesn't look like Christopher Walken.

#70 ::: Susan ::: (view all by) ::: May 14, 2007, 10:26 AM:

Pictures were taken at dinner. I'm not sure who owned the cameras or when/where the pictures will surface.

I bought books. I blame this entirely on Sisuile for cruelly luring me into the book rooms and neglecting to confiscate my wallet first.

#71 ::: Serge ::: (view all by) ::: May 14, 2007, 10:57 AM:

Susan @ 70... 'Sisuile' and 'cruel' do rhyme (if one is willing to stretch things a bit).

Glad to hear you had a good time even though it imposed something of a strain on your finances, due to you lack of moral fiber. ("That book! I must have that book!")

#72 ::: joann ::: (view all by) ::: May 14, 2007, 11:23 AM:

Serge #71:

Why everyone relates moral fiber to willpower when books are involved is beyond me. It's clearly a medical condition.

#73 ::: Serge ::: (view all by) ::: May 14, 2007, 11:27 AM:

joann @ 72...

"Today on Jerry Springer... Books, and the women who love them too much."

#74 ::: joann ::: (view all by) ::: May 14, 2007, 12:37 PM:

Serge #73:

Oh, the horror!

OTOH, I *am* in a room where every wall surface is covered by books. The only breaks are the doors, and the windows. One of the three windows is covered by a bookshelf with a large open area for the cat door. I'm sure I don't need to add that all the shelves are practically full, and that there are more shelves in the walkin closet.

#75 ::: Serge ::: (view all by) ::: May 14, 2007, 01:39 PM:

joann @ 74... I *am* in a room where every wall surface is covered by books

You should see two of the rooms in our own house.

#76 ::: gaukler ::: (view all by) ::: May 14, 2007, 09:57 PM:

I have now survived the dorm mattresses and sheets, and the open bars of academic presses. Much fun was had.
mark

#77 ::: Another Damned Medievalist ::: (view all by) ::: May 14, 2007, 10:48 PM:

It ws lovely meeting you IRL. And I hope you or Lisa put in that panel! And the person I said might be interested is very much so, but not sure of his schedule yet. Still, I am sure you'd have to beat off some very qualified applicants with a stick. Sorry I didn't make it to the meetup at the Radisson -- I had to go make nice with people who can help me to get tenure!

#78 ::: Serge ::: (view all by) ::: May 14, 2007, 11:16 PM:

gaukler @ 76... the open bars of academic presses

Where they served macademia nuts?
Ow! Ow!
OK, I'm going. Jeez.

#79 ::: Lisa Spangenberg ::: (view all by) ::: May 14, 2007, 11:28 PM:

Tom in #58, I wanted very very much to go to Mythcon, and was going to submit a paper proposal, but NASFIC is at the same time. Maybe next year.

Teresa was fabulous company at K'zoo, and was very much a member of the tribe, complete with frock.

#80 ::: gaukler ::: (view all by) ::: May 14, 2007, 11:30 PM:

That is a cruel and unnatural pun to inflict upon someone who had to rise at 5am Kalamazoo time in order to catch a plane home. I'm back on Pacific time, wondering how and why I'm still awake.
mark

#81 ::: MacAllister ::: (view all by) ::: May 15, 2007, 12:31 AM:

This was my first time at Kalamazoo, also -- but I'll certainly return. The company was especially marvelous; it was so very nice to be able to put faces and voices with some of the names I've seen here for so long.

Going home to Seattle is looking rather drab, in comparison.

#82 ::: Serge ::: (view all by) ::: May 15, 2007, 04:35 PM:

gaukler @ 80... Today's young folks... They can't handle bad puns at 5am, which in my book is defined as oversleeping. (Insert snort of derision.)

#83 ::: Another Damned Medie ::: (view all by) ::: May 15, 2007, 06:21 PM:

MacAllister @#81 -- I didn't know you lived in Seattle! I miss living there -- and the Beveridge Place Pub! Hope to run into you again, this time with more time ;-)

#84 ::: Tracie ::: (view all by) ::: May 15, 2007, 08:55 PM:

Kalamazooooooo! I thought I'd be able to put in an afternoon's work after driving the last leg from Chattanooga (what was I thinking?!?) but I went straight to bed, not even unpacking my books. More fun than at many a con. Great to meet people I hadn't met, and see people I hadn't seen for a while. Susan, Sisuile, Heather and I managed to grace the dance floor at the Saturday night dance, on much too little liquor to explain it.

I've submitted a proposal for an early and traditional (jam) session next year, to be held in a room near wine. It will happen, whether it's on the official schedule or not. Bring instruments and voices.

#85 ::: Susan ::: (view all by) ::: May 15, 2007, 09:42 PM:

We graced the dance floor doing the first bransle d'escosse to the tune of "I Can't Get No Satisfaction", to be precise.

Almost as frightening were the number of academics getting raunchy on the dance floor to "Baby Got Back". The part of my brain that can't turn off while watching dance noted that (1) they were doing the step-touch version of the old four-count hustle rather than the touch-step version (which versions I suddenly realized are similar to two different ways of doing the basic charleston, but minus all the neat bits), and (2) they had instinctively formed primarily same-sex circles to dance in, which reminded me of the moon branlies, at which point I had to laugh.

All in all, it was frighteningly like a prom. I wished heartily for my regular dance partner so we could have danced circles around them.

#86 ::: Another Damned Medievalist ::: (view all by) ::: May 15, 2007, 11:36 PM:

Like a prom where one has to keep an eye out on the senior faculty!

#87 ::: Scott Nokes ::: (view all by) ::: May 16, 2007, 11:49 AM:

At my very first K'zoo medieval dance, I walked into the room and saw a very, very important medievalist who was very, very drunk, wearing no shirt, covered in sweat, and flanked by two blondes who did not appear to be scholarly-types. This was, of course, back in the days when the dance got really wild, before they got it back under control.

#88 ::: MacAllister ::: (view all by) ::: May 16, 2007, 01:16 PM:

Another Damned Medievalist @ #83 -- Yes, I love it here for so many reasons. The local brews alone are nearly enough to make up for the rain all winter.

#89 ::: Susan ::: (view all by) ::: May 17, 2007, 10:39 AM:

Scott @ #87:
This wasn't quite that wild, though we left pretty early. They were making feeble attempts to control who (badged participants only) and what (no outside alcohol) got into the room, but I could easily see ways to get around both rules. At least we didn't have to take off our shoes and go through metal detectors.

I was wondering while watching the women dancing whether wearing a skirt slit high enough to make it obvious that I wasn't wearing panythose would improve my chances at an academic career or not.

What happens in Kalamazoo stays in Kalamazoo?

#90 ::: Serge ::: (view all by) ::: May 17, 2007, 10:42 AM:

Susan @ 89... The sordid world of medieval academia... I wonder how long it'll be before that shows up on Criminal Intent or on Special Victims Unit.

#91 ::: Another Damned Medievalist ::: (view all by) ::: May 17, 2007, 07:52 PM:

Susan @ #89 -- I heard that a number of times. I think that it definitely applies to drinking and dancing. Not so sure it applies to sexual escapades outside of established con relationships, though.

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